Obituary Questionnaire – Additional Comments
My wife Ronnie and some callers questioned the propriety of including all the information in the questionnaire in an obituary notice in the sense that it will make it easier for identity theft and would call attention to an empty or partially empty house.
Ronnie and the callers raised a serious issue. There are lowlife people that search out obits looking for information they could use to establish an alternative identity based on the deceased or even surviving members of the family. The information also identifies residences that will have fewer people living there and perhaps the time it will be unoccupied (during the funeral). Dates of death, parents names, sibling identities and school and address history are fodder for these reprobates. While the questionnaire has a thorough listing of information that should be available, using all of it should require some discretion.
A comment that is unrelated to the collection of factual information is that compiling the questionnaire could create a moment of reflection on accomplishments and achievements and how you might be remembered. You should be proud of the type of person you are and how you have positively touched others. If you are satisfied with how you lived, and continue to live your life, good for you. If not pleased, hopefully you will have plenty of time to do the good things you would want written about in your obituary.
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